bref historey on bath hoses in winnipeg by Kev B
Gather around towel people it's time for your history lesson.What
I'm hoping to give a sense of where our steambaths came from.
Winnipeg has a long and unraided relationship with the MALE
steambath.Ever since the early 20th century "towel boys"have had a
place to go.Previous establishments include O Bee's on MacGregor St
and the Alexander and King Baths.But for now let's go back to 1971.A
gentleman who shall not be named,ran a theratre supply shop at
Salter and Mountain.This gent was also into property acquistion.One
of his builings was at 1060 Main St.The plumbing was in tip top
shape.After hearing about the "grunge" at O'Bees and the Alexanger
he decided to open up a competitive bath at 1060 Main St. and called
it the Office.
Unlike the Adonis of today.The area that had the HotTub was a
Darkroom,and I mean DARK.It brought a new meaning to the
term "Amynous Sex".The Steam Room and Sauna are exactly as it was in
1971,Only the tiles have changed.Now of course you noticed the size
of the rooms.That was the standard for many years.
Go up to the year 1985 and things are changing FAST.The term AIDS
has entered the North American vocabulary and of course backlashes
from everywhere follow.Attendence at all male steam baths dropd like
a anvil and sexual practices change.The dark room is closed at the
reccomendation of the Health Dept and the Office still survied.It's
main competition Obee's closes up shop in 1991 and things simmer
down.That is until 1996,when a cunning person decides to teach a OLD
steam bath some new evening tricks.
This is where we end Part 1 and begin Part 2.Part 2 is where I
have a personal involement.
Kevin B
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